The Ultimate John Wayne Film Collection (Passport)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: C Films: C+
When
major studios do sets based on big stars, other companies follow. After Warner and Universal did their Wayne
sets, Passport had to do one and the so-called Ultimate John Wayne Film Collection is the result. The 23-film set on 7 DVDs seems massive, but
has the predictable inclusion of Angel
& The Badman, but the highlight for serious fans might be the majority
of 1930s B-movies he did for republic.
They make up 21 of the titles here, leaving no doubt as to why he was so
popular early on. Maybe “vintage” should
have been in the title instead.
Outside
of that, the set has McLintock!,
along with two extras, but that is all, yet more than enough for 7 discs. None of these films are classics, though you
cannot judge McLintock! in the
version here for reasons we’ll explain in a minute. Considering how many old VHS and even single
DVDs these 30s Wayne films are on, this is a space saver, so it has its uses
for big fans. Otherwise, you might want
to read on.
The 1.33
X 1 image on all the programs is average at best, but for a film like McLintock!, the print is a
disaster. Originally a widescreen 2.35 X
1 Panavision scope film released in beautiful three-strip dye-transfer
Technicolor prints, this is a pan and scan copy from hell with awful detail,
horrid color and a print that should have been burned decades ago. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is mono and poor
throughout, but in the case of the older films, is somewhat understandable. Extras include a featurette on Wayne and a
trailers collection that is a highlight.
Otherwise, this set is for diehard completists at best.
- Nicholas Sheffo
